Martian Channels

Around 145 years ago, the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli observed long linear markings on the surface of Mars. He described them as “canali” which was mis-translated into English as "canals" (instead of "channels") leading to the speculation that these were irrigation canals constructed by a Martian civilization.

The “canali” were an optical illusion caused by the random alignment of craters and other natural surface features, and by the very limited resolution of telescopes in those days.

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